Agility Training Tips For Deaf Dogs

From:DeafDogs.org

"Brenda and her Australian Shepherd, Frankie"

Fair Warning! The following is based on a non-competitive perspective. We enjoy Agility with our dogs, however, at the present time, we are not competing. What works for us might not be in the best interest of competitively-inclined folks. If you are entertaining thoughts of competitive Agility, we suggest working with a competitive Agility trainer.

Depending on the activity (and the dog!) your dog may watch your hands more than your facial expressions. Keeping that in mind, it's a good idea to make sure your hands are held in proximity to your face/shoulder area, to ensure a good chance at the dog's seeing them. Consider using one-handed signs (since you may be holding a leash or tab with one hand, during training sessions). If you use a lure (a toy or a food treat) while training, try to remember to keep the lure right behind the hand you are signing with. This helps the dog look in the right place (your signing hand).

When introducing new obstacles to your dog, first concentrate on getting the dog over/through the obstacle in a positive manner. Don't worry about what hand signals to use at this point - that will come later. Agility should be about fun and confidence building. Remember to use the dog's "good" and "very good" hand signals frequently to reinforce the desired behavior. Keep a happy expression on your face, relax, and have fun! We've found that body language plays a larger factor in running the Agility course than making sure we sign each piece of equipment. Use your shoulders, the angle of your head and, of course, your hands to direct the dog.

Frankie's Agility Hand Signal Suggestions

A-Frame
Both hands, side of hands facing dog, make a tent with hands, or ASL for the letter "A"

Chute (Collapsed Tunnel)
One hand, index and middle finger up, rest of fingers curled down, hold fingers at eye level, make a circular motion or, ASL for the letter "C"

Dogwalk
One hand, index and middle finger pointing down with motion (like your fingers do the walking through the Yellow Pages), or ASL for "walk" or ASL for the letter "W"

Jump
One hand flat, at chin level, palm facing dog, make an arc motion (like you're wiping a window) or ASL for "jump," or ASL for the letter "J"

Broad Jump: One hand flat, at chin level, palm down facing the ground, make an arc motion (like the top of a large circle), or ASL for "over"
Tire Jump: One hand, index finger to nose, sweep hand upward, or ASL for the letter "O"

Table
Left arm arcoss you chest, right hand perpendicular at 90 degree angle, ASL for "table," or ASL for "flat," or ASL for the letter "P" (some folks use the command "perch" in lieu of "table")

Teeter Totter
One hand flat, palm down, side of your hand to dog, move hand up/down (like an undulating wave), or ASL for the letter "T"

Touch
Hand, palm down (facing the ground), thumb towards your chest, move your hand downward, as in pushing down bread dough, or ASL for "push"

Tunnel
One hand, closed fist, facing down, move in one circular motion at chest level, or ASL for "circle"

Weave
One hand, back of hand towards dog, palm facing your chest, make a back and forth motion (like sweeping crumbs off a table), or ASL for "weave"